Google quietly ditched plans for an AI-powered chatbot app for Gen Z (www.cnbc.com)

submitted 1 year ago by return2ozma@lemmy.world to c/technology@lemmy.world

14 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Called “Bubble Characters,” the app featured cartoon-like characters engaging in conversations with young users and even offering advice

top 14 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old

[-] platysalty@kbin.social 27 points 1 year ago

They're optimising their idea to grave pipeline.

[-] andrewrgross@slrpnk.net 12 points 1 year ago

I don't know if Google canceling a project is news. Seems like Google releasing a project would be much more of a "man bites dog" story than the other way around, but okay.

[-] Hypersapien@lemmy.world 8 points 1 year ago

Google releases plenty of projects. It just cancels them after a couple years.

[-] Chipthemonk@lemmy.fmhy.ml 4 points 1 year ago

I’m glad it’s not only me that feels this. Google has lost a lot of my trust. I am not inclined to try something new that launches as it’s likely to be short lived. Why invest in something they will shut off in a year or two or change the name (what’s it now, Google Talk, Hangouts, Duo, or some other shit?).

[-] magic_lobster_party@kbin.social 3 points 1 year ago

I already lost their trust when they killed Google Reader for Google+.

[-] Hypersapien@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

Feed, Labs

[-] AbidanYre@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

There's a reason killedbygoogle exists.

[-] CharlesReed@kbin.social 12 points 1 year ago

I didn't even know this was a thing, and they've already cancelled it.

[-] TwoGems@lemmy.world 10 points 1 year ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Ribbit

[-] ddtfrog@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

“Man I’m really sad lately. I’ve lost 2 friends due to fighting. Rewlly frustrated!”

“aww jeez that sucks, I hate when that happens! Have you tried new Trending Friendfinder™️ ? For only $3.99/mo ($48 paid yearly installments) you can find new friends!” - Bubble Character advice after launching

Yeah kinda glad it didn’t go through..

[-] xkforce@lemmy.world 6 points 1 year ago

tbh I would be more concerned how easily AI can be manipulated into giving inappropriate responses like it was when it was used to interact with callers to an eating disorder hotline etc. ie instead of helping, it ended up giving them tips and tricks on how to eating disorder more efficiently.

[-] Viatorem@lemmygrad.ml 8 points 1 year ago

Nothing quite like trying to market AI to the most aggressively anti-ai generation so far

[-] db2@lemmy.one 6 points 1 year ago

Also Google: We just watched our first science fiction movie ever last night.

[-] exohuman@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

Yeah, that was a horrible idea. Glad they cancelled it.

this post was submitted on 12 Jul 2023

90 points (100.0% liked)

Technology

55692 readers

2485 users here now

This is a most excellent place for technology news and articles.

Our Rules

Follow the lemmy.world rules.
Only tech related content.
Be excellent to each another!
Mod approved content bots can post up to 10 articles per day.
Threads asking for personal tech support may be deleted.
Politics threads may be removed.
No memes allowed as posts, OK to post as comments.
Only approved bots from the list below, to ask if your bot can be added please contact us.
Check for duplicates before posting, duplicates may be removed

Approved Bots

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS